Dear LPG,

I was lucky enough to get a FitBit fitness tracker for Christmas and after two or three months of checking the stats that it produced I agree with the article that you posted on July 18^th Last year.   Although they can make you paranoid about how much exercise you get, as long as you set realistic goals, they are a very positive tool.

On my Fitbit there is a feature that can be set to let you know if you have managed to take a minimum amount of steps per hour.  It got me thinking about how important that really is.  

I worked in an office for most of my working life and I remember the rule that said we had to have a break at least every two hours, which was mainly for the benefit of protecting our eyes from the effects of computers, but it was also really good for the body in as much as we moved regularly.  Now, I find that when I am off to the shops or visiting friends it is easy to register the 250 steps per hour, but when I am at home and get involved on the computer or reading, the time goes and I don’t, the tracker then alarms on my wrist to remind me of my lack of achievement.  As I said, it is not the end of the world but it does get me thinking.

I have found that the tracker does react to the exercise sessions that I do when sitting at a weekly class I attend, and so I want to let other readers know that you don’t always have to stand up to keep the body exercised on an hourly basis.  Just moving to a piece of music you like has an effect and you don’t even have to get up. 

There are lots of movements you can do, but something as simple as finding a piece of music you like and a few gentle rhythmic claps (especially if you open your arms out a little wider than normal between claps makes quite a difference).  Moving your legs forward and backwards or even just tapping you toes gets your legs working too. 

Seeing the fitness tracker stats gives me a sense of achievement and I have found that making sure that I move around on an hourly, or at least bi-hourly basis during the daytime has resulted in my feeling more physically alert in myself.   I thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend it

PT, Chinbrook

LPG have found a few gentle seated exercise…

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…and some information for you

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…please remember that the internet has a habit focussing on younger people, but the information it offers is good as long as we remember that we are a little slower and need to adapt the statistics, figures and speed to our own personal needs.